14 · SBJ.NET MARCH 6-12, 2023 40 UNDER 40 Since becoming president at the family business six years ago, Joe Everest, 39, says he’s tripled revenue and the workforce at Ozark Fence & Supply Co. and expanded to serve clients nationwide. Everest’s passion to help others find success runs deep. His YouTube channel – Joe Everest, The Fence Expert – has 45,600 subscribers and provides tips on running a profitable business. He mentors others in the fencing industry including competitors, he says, and gives in-person training for fence company leaders every year across the country. He also serves on the board of the American Fence Association. Everest has used his success to give back. In 2020, he formed the Ozark Fence Charitable Giving Committee, which he says is committed to donating at least $35,000 annually to nonprofits “regardless of our business health.” He also is board president of the Springfield Sertoma Club. “I believe it’s critical that I provide a legacy roadmap for my team, those that I mentor and my three kids so that they will know the importance of using their resources to build a better community,” he says. Your first job? Picking up screws/nails/ trash in the lot, as well as putting bolts into fittings as a kid. First official job was as a fence installer. Best productivity hack? Time blocking and leaving time for reading/reflection. What did you learn the hard way? Frustration is the result of unmet expectations. —Christine Temple, Executive Editor JOE EVEREST Ozark Fence & Supply Co. CHRISTINA FORD Rebound Foundation Inc. and Kids Inn Child Care Center LLC Christina Ford knows what it means to fill a need. She’s the founder of Rebound Foundation, a nonprofit that provides transitional homes for women and children survivors of domestic violence, and Kids Inn Child Care Center, a business designed to add flexible child care options in the area. Through both organizations, Ford is working to fill needed services, whether that’s providing a safe and reliable place to stay or giving working parents peace of mind. “I have shown leadership and proven what planning, assistance, dedication and a desire to increase the quality of life for those around you can accomplish,” says Ford, 36. Her proudest accomplishment, she says, is opening Kids Inn and becoming certified as a minority-owned and women-owned business enterprise. “I continue to find joy in many stories, the mom that was able to return to work or the family that had a sitter cancel and now has a resource,” Ford says of her business. What about your job would shock people? My child care center is quieter than my home! Best productivity hack? Compartmentalization with my schedule. Designating set days in the week for certain tasks and responsibilities. Your professional aha moment? Hiring a virtual assistant. Shout out to Denae’s Virtual Desk! What historical figure do you identify with most? Coretta Scott King. —Geoff Pickle, Digital Editor Candice Frazier’s work in the field of neonatal eye imaging brings her face to face with the smallest of eyes. A senior clinical specialist with NeoLight, Frazier, 37, works to bring together neonatal intensive care professionals with the ophthalmic community and provide learning materials on infant eye health. “I’ve learned that health care in its entirety is a collaboration of several specialties,” she says. Frazier says she found an overwhelming need for educational materials on screening for retinopathy, which can cause vision loss in preemies. She created a toolkit that became the start of a worldwide outreach. In 2022, Frazier traveled to Italy to work with neonatal eye imagers from around the world. Her research on eye imaging has appeared in several medical journals. Best productivity hack? An app called TimeTree. I keep color-coded calendars and lists for all five in our household. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? My late boss and friend, Linda Fuggiti, guided me to write out my thoughts and rest on them for a day before creating any plan of action. Best celebrity meeting/sighting story? I was recently presented a clinical excellence award at my company’s annual meeting. I was shocked that Ben Roethlisberger was the one to hand out my award. My boys were pretty jealous! Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? The pastries from European Cafe. —Karen Craigo, Reporter CANDICE FRAZIER NeoLight LLC Caitlin Golike nurtures relationships with one of Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ biggest assets – its donors. “I provide the customer service that makes the donors feel like they are a part of something special,” she says. “I meet with them to talk about their charitable goals. I provide ideas on how to use their grant dollars, and I make sure the experience is smooth and easy for them.” She directs a department of five people, and together they host educational events to provide insight into current community needs and work with more than 450 donor-advised funds. Since starting at the organization in 2017, Golike, 32, has worked to increase charitable spending among these funds to $14.5 million per year from $6.4 million. Meanwhile, assets in donor-advised funds have increased to $79 million in 458 funds from $57 million in 321 funds. Your first job? Passed out cold towels at a golf course in Lake Ozark. Weird job, but I was able to golf for free! Your proudest moment? Selling my paintings to Scotch & Soda Bentonville. It was my first big art sale, and I still get a thrill seeing my paintings of scotch bottles hanging up there. Your most treasured possession? Signed copy of my favorite book, “American Gods,” by Neil Gaiman. Favorite podcast? My podcast interests are truly all over the place. Top three include My Favorite Murder, I Saw What You Did and Maintenance Phase. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer CAITLIN GOLIKE Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. HEATHER MOSLEY
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